Yanggu Apples Enter Market in Earnest... About 1,700 Tons Expected to Generate 10 Billion Won in Income This Year

Yanggu apples (Hongro), which are highly popular as Chuseok gifts, are now entering the market in earnest.

Aerial view of Yanggu County Office.

Apples produced in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, have long been recognized as premium fruits in the agricultural market.

In the Yanggu region, apples began to be cultivated in the early 2000s as an alternative crop due to climate warming. They have since been recognized nationwide for their high quality and have established themselves as a major source of income for local farmers.

This year, around 180 farms in Yanggu are cultivating Hongro apples on 75 hectares, producing an estimated 1,700 tons and generating an expected income of 10 billion won. By variety, production is projected to reach a total of 6,500 tons: 1,700 tons of Hongro apples (mid-September), 1,000 tons of other varieties such as Shinano Gold (early to mid-October), and 3,800 tons of Fuji apples (late October).

Although individual farm yields have slightly decreased compared to the average year due to cold damage, the overall production volume increased by 1,000 tons from 5,500 tons last year to 6,500 tons, thanks to the expansion of cultivation area from 218 hectares in 2020 to 347 hectares in 2024. Income is also expected to rise by 5 billion won, from 25 billion won to 30 billion won.

Yanggu County has continuously pursued various initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of apples and other fruits, including the 38th Parallel Yanggu Apple Premium Project (2016-2018), the Yanggu Apple Local Industry Development Project (2017-2021), the Premium Apple Orchard Establishment Project (2017-present), High-Quality Yanggu Apple Promotion (2021-present), and efforts to streamline horticultural crop production and expand infrastructure (2021-present).

In particular, apples have been designated as one of Yanggu County's five strategic crops, along with watermelon, melon, gomchwi, and asparagus. The county has continuously promoted specialized projects by introducing eco-friendly agricultural materials and other measures.

Thanks to these efforts, Yanggu apples have achieved notable results, with the Fuji apple farm winning the Excellence Award and the Shinano Gold apple farm receiving the Encouragement Award at the "2024 Korea Representative Fruit Selection Contest" hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.